A Traveler's Guide to Mars First Printing edition by Hartmann, William K. (2003) Paperback

by William K. Hartmann

A Traveler's Guide to Mars revitalizes the Red Planet, leaving readers with the urge to don a spacesuit and take a long trip. With the look and heft of a guide to someplace you might actually go, the book presents Mars as a place of canyons and volcanoes, mesas, and barren plains, not that dissimilar from parts of Earth. Author William K. Hartmann, who participated in the Mars Global Surveyor mission, uses all the photos and data collected by scientists in decades of research to give a thorough, yet not boring, overview of the planet. The most exciting stuff is about water--whether it ever flowed on Mars, where it went, why it's hard to find. Beyond that, there are the rocks, dust, and weather to talk about, and Mars has lots of all three. Sidebars, maps, and chronologies help keep the regions and geology of Mars organized. Hartmann never forgets he's writing for the lay reader, and his style is personable and clear. When answering claims of NASA cover-ups, ancient civilizations, and hidden structures on Mars, he calmly lays out the facts and pictures, urging readers to simply examine the evidence. Hartmann offers a tourist's-eye view of one of our most intriguing planetary neighbors and does more to polish NASA's tarnished image than a thousand press releases. --Therese Littleton

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Space, Astronomy, Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Iain Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to come back to again and again! Being a Mars freak--but one interested less in the technical than the experiential aspects of Mars exploration--this is a primary resource. Hartmann has succeeded here in the same manner as Sagan, making the conceptual majesty of science accessible to the non-scientist. One really feels connected to Mars after reading this book. The Mars Global Surveyor satellite, as well as the various landers, have brought clear, high-res images of the Red Planet to all of us, but it takes the knowledge, insight and creativity of an expert like Hartmann to present them in a compelling manner. An added note: in the Google Mars function of Google Earth, numerous sites around Mars are hyperlinked to sections of this book; that is in fact how I found out about it. The reader who wants a fuller experience will peruse A Traveler's Guide to Mars in conjunction with online exploration through Google Mars.

[Regina Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of an older version, doesn't have few of the new researches, not to consider reports from Curiosity (duh!), but otherwise a very interesting piece of work.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit outdated, but a wonderful read, nonetheless.

[Xander Skyrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of humanity's relationship to Mars, collection of past and present research (as of ~2003), and some speculation into our future.

As a "traveler's guide" this book takes the perspective of a human on tour, starting with an overview of the red planet, and then diving into areas of interest. The writing is excellent, a combination of historical scientific literature and informative traveler's guide narrative.

[Josh! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really helpful guide for use when writing about Mars, most effective when taken with Google Earth in Mars Mode. It is not the most in depth guide and isn't exactly a scholarly work, though it is written by an expert. I will keep it on my desk to help with sci-fi writing.

Has pretty pictures.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, with a wealth of information. Would like to see an updated edition, with the addition of recent findings, but this book is thorough and current to circa 2003. Would like a book on each of the planets written in this depth. Explores the geological history of Mars and speculates on its historical climate by exploring geological features. Recommended.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at what we have learned about Mars with lots of pictures.

[Albireo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr: great book on Mars and Martian geology

Mrs: Used it as a quick reference when reading Mars Underground. Very well written, made me an expert Martian Geologist with a snap of my fingers...

[Charlie Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent picyure and commentary, makes Mars a real place

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An areological tour, for those who are so inclined. If you are not, then look at the pictures anyway, because this book is stuffed with them and they are spectacular.

[Michael Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photos and nicely written

[Cindy Borgne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a couple of years ago when I was planning my book. It's the most in-depth tour of Mars I could find. It's non-fiction.

[Russ Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, if somewhat dated book full of beautiful pictures of Mars. I wish all popular science books were this personal and this much fun.